Epiphany
February 25, 2017
Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ –Matthew 17:1-4
In systems theory, homeostasis is the internal drive in individuals and groups to recover from chaos returning life to a steady state. Homeostasis is neither good nor bad; it may be either. The civil rights movement of the 1960’s challenged the steady state of racism and discrimination in the USA attempting to move to a new steady state that was inclusive of all God’s children. Consistently loving one’s neighbors is an example of a positive state of homeostasis.
Consistent chaos can become a very destructive steady state. The Middle East has experienced consistent chaos for so long they know no other reality. Groups like ISIS form in response to consistent chaos.
Jesus came to move the world to a new homeostasis centered in love and justice diametrically opposed to the dominate homeostasis of the day fostered by the Roman Empire, characterized by greed and peace through power usually enforced by violence or the threat of violence. Sound familiar?
Peter’s desire to build dwellings to honor Moses, Elijah, and Jesus was an attempt to box in and keep what he had experienced through his relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ ministry was and is about making God’s ways the steady state for all people which cannot be housed in human structures but can only be realized through making love the steady state in the hearts of all.
Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, create in us clean hearts and fill them so full of your love that they overflow to enrich the lives of all. Amen.